NEWS RELEASE
Date: 2 October 2008
Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960
Koi Herpesvirus disease outbreak confirmed
Movements of fish in and out of two fisheries, in Hertfordshire and Cornwall, have been restricted, following the confirmation of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) Disease.
Defra has issued Designated Area Orders prohibiting the movement of fish to and from the fisheries at:
- Broad Colney Lakes, London Colney, Hertfordshire; and
- Whiteacres Fishery, Whiteacres Holiday Park, Newquay, Cornwall.
KHV Disease affects common carp and carp varieties such as Koi. It can result in high rates of fish mortalities.
There are no implications for human health.
It became a legal obligation to notify suspicion of KHV Disease on 6th April 2007. The measures developed in partnership between government and industry to help combat outbreaks were announced on 21st May 2007.
Suspicion of the presence of the disease should be immediately reported to: the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in Weymouth
Tel: 01305-206673/206674
E-mail: fish.health.inspectorate@cefas.co.uk
Notes to editors
- The Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 13) Order 2008 and The Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 14) Order 2008, issued under the 1937 Diseases of Fish Act (as amended), restrict the movement of any live fish, or live eggs of fish, into or out of the designated area without the prior written consent of Defra.
- The designated areas are:
- For The Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 13) Order 2008: Broad Colney Lakes, London Colney, Hertfordshire, which comprises the waters and the land in the area bounded by a line drawn from the following Ordnance Survey grid references: TL18640376, straight to TL17580310, following the course of Shenley Lane (B5378) up to TL17510345, then straight to TL18450404, returning to TL18640376 following the course of the A1081.
- For The Diseases of Fish (Designated Areas) (England) (No. 14) Order 2008: Whiteacres Fishery at Whiteacres Holiday Park, Newquay, Cornwall, which comprises the waters and the land in the area bounded by a line drawn from the following Ordnance Survey grid references: SW88346104, straight to SW89526108, then straight to SW89055977, then straight to SW88116014, then returning to SW88346104.
- KHV disease may be suspected if dead or dying fish with other clinical evidence such as bleeding from the gills, white patches on the gills or skin, sunken eyes and hyperactive behaviour are found in fisheries, other inland waters, fish farms, fish dealers, retailers, aquaria and garden ponds. These signs usually appear when water temperatures are between 15°C and 28°C.
- Details of the statutory and voluntary controls in place to help combat outbreaks of KHV Disease may be accessed from the following web site: www.efishbusiness.co.uk
End
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Page published: 2 October 2008